It looks like someone has been putting galvanized metal into the blacksmithing forge.
The zinc coating will do terrible things to your lungs, regardless of how well ventilated the area is.
If you see someone putting galvanized metal into the forge, please ask them to stop. If you can’t get them to stop, leave the area and report it to the front desk
Also, if you put some metal in the forge that you thought was fine and notice “Uh-oh, there’s weird smoke and a my metal has a grody coating on the surface that wasn’t there before, I think this was galvanized,” stop working on it, open the big side door, and let the front desk know what happened.
Precisely why we aren’t melting brass & new “bronze” alloys that contain zinc in the jewelry area.
Okay, I have to ask, what specific alloys, or contents are forboden, or just plain not allowed? Alternatively, what alloys are allowed?
Actually, please answer both, and why…
@GaryB My understanding (and @Heather please correct me) is that the rule is if there’s zinc in it, don’t get it hot.
For galvanized steel, the zinc is in the surface and you can get rid of the galvanized coating by soaking the metal in an acid bath (5% vinegar works well) until it stops bubbling.
For brass, there’s zinc all the way through so it’s just no-go for melting.
Editing to add why: it releases zinc oxide particles, which cause metal fume fever. Probably won’t kill you, but no fun for anyone.
So, if I had a bronze alloy that consisted of only copper and tin, then that would be acceptable? For both forge and jewelry?
I believe that would be only B427 and B505.
Yeah, as far as I know that should be okay.